ABOUT THE ACLU OF KANSAS
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the civil rights and legal freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The ACLU of Kansas works in the state legislature, the courts, and local communities to protect the rights of all people living in Kansas. The organization's work includes efforts to strengthen and defend First Amendment rights, voting rights, reproductive rights, racial justice, LGBT rights, immigrants' rights, stopping government surveillance, and reforming the criminal justice system. The ACLU of Kansas often works in broad-based coalitions made up of individuals and organizations from across the political, partisan, and ideological spectrum. The ACLU of Kansas is an affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, has a current staff of 6, an annual budget of approximately $850,000, and more than 20,000 supporters across the state.
The ACLU of Kansas comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the ACLU Foundation of Kansas. Both entities have the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. The ACLU Foundation of Kansas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in litigation and public education. The ACLU of Kansas is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in lobbying and advocacy.
More information about the ACLU of Kansas is available at www.aclukansas.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The ACLU of Kansas seeks a dynamic, innovative, and passionate individual to serve as its full-time Smart Justice Field Organizer. For this newly-created position with responsibility for creating and mobilizing a statewide infrastructure of advocates for criminal justice reform, individuals with personal experience with the criminal justice system are strongly encouraged to apply. The ACLU of Kansas has taken the lead in establishing Kansans for Smart Justice, a broad-based coalition of organizations calling for meaningful reform to the state's criminal justice system and for decarceration. More information about the coalition can be found on the ACLU of Kansas's website or at www.smartjusticekansas.org. The Smart Justice Field Organizer will play a significant role in continuing to build out the coalition and mobilizing ACLU activists, supporters, and volunteers to advance the smart justice reform priorities of the coalition.
This position will be based in a new, Wichita field office and will report to the ACLU of Kansas's Director of Advocacy. Although based in Wichita, the position will be responsible for statewide organizing and mobilization on criminal justice reform and decarceration issues. The Smart Justice Field Organizer will work in close collaboration with other ACLU of Kansas communications, legal, organizing, and policy staff.
This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, experienced political organizing professional to have a significant impact on civil liberties, civil rights, and criminal justice in Kansas. The professional who holds this position will have the opportunity to shape a well-respected and effective organization's advocacy initiatives.
This position is partly grant-funded, with a minimum commitment for two years of funding and possibility of renewal.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
· Under the guidance of the Director of Advocacy, develop and implement an organizing campaign centered on smart justice reform in the state legislature.
· Under the guidance of the Director of Advocacy, develop and implement an organizing campaign centered on prosecutorial reform at the local level.
· Ensure that the interests and vision of impacted populations and the broader community shape the affiliate's work on smart justice reform.
· Work collaboratively on joint efforts with community organizations and coalition partners.
· Develop strategic partnerships with key community-based organizations working in diverse communities around Kansas.
· Galvanize support of community organizations, public officials, law enforcement officials, faith leaders, business leaders, donors, and new and diverse communities from across the ideological spectrum for smart justice organizing campaigns.
· Work collaboratively with coalition partners, allies, and other ACLU staff to execute large-scale community actions (e.g., hearings, rallies, "fly-in" lobby days, etc.)
· Identify and recruit potential witnesses/speakers for public hearings, press conferences, and other public events related to smart justice reform.
· Identify, cultivate, and develop strong community leaders who can lead smart justice campaigns at the local level.
· Identify, recruit, train, support, and supervise ACLU members/volunteers for specific smart justice or civil liberties campaigns and programs; serve as the primary liaison between volunteers and staff.
· Assist the Legal Department, as appropriate, with the identification and recruitment of potential clients for smart justice-related impact litigation.
· Develop, strengthen, and nurture alliances with communities of color, youth groups, formerly incarcerated people, and other interest groups relevant to smart justice reform.
· Serve as the ACLU of Kansas's primary point of contact for the Wichita metropolitan area and western Kansas, developing the organization's base in these parts of the state.
· Work closely with ACLU National's Campaign for Smart Justice and other national actors to promote smart justice reform in Kansas and nationwide.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred, but not required.
· At least two (2) years of experience in community/field organizing and base building. At least one (1) year of experience must specifically be in political/advocacy/campaign organizing, with experience working directly with volunteers strongly preferred.
· Individuals with knowledge of current political alignments and opportunities for collaboration specifically in Kansas with a broad range of groups. Familiarity with the advocacy and community organizing landscape of Wichita and western Kansas are preferred, but not required.
· A history of working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and a broad range of ideological positions and religious views.
· Exceptional interpersonal skills.
· Strong written and oral communications skills.
· Superb organization skills; detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
· Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, and willing to learn.
· Strong task and time management skills.
Ability to travel around the state as necessary and participate in evening and weekend meetings.
This position is based in Wichita; candidates must either reside in the Wichita metropolitan area or be willing to relocate quickly.
· Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU. Strong passion for criminal justice issues, commitment to criminal justice reform, and an understanding of the racialized nature of the criminal justice system are absolutely essential.
· Individuals who have personal experience with incarceration and the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION
Compensation for this full-time position is in the mid $30,000s, but is negotiable based on experience and within the parameters of the ACLU of Kansas compensation scale. Benefits include medical and disability insurance (fully paid by employer), a 401(k) program, and generous vacation, holiday and sick leave.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submit a letter of interest, resume, relevant professional writing sample of no longer than three (3) pages, and three professional references (identifying their relationship to you and including their email address and phone number). Email your application to:
Micah Kubic
Executive Director, ACLU of Kansas
Please include "Smart Justice Organizer" in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled. No calls or in-person applications, please.
DEADLINE
Applicants will be reviewed beginning the week of May 15, 2017 and will be accepted until the position is filled. The job announcement will remain posted on our website, www.aclukansas.org, until the position is filled. When the position is filled, the announcement will be removed from the website.
The ACLU of Kansas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Kansas encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal history, and veteran status.
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